In July, a few months prior to the 1946-47 season, general manager Tommy Gorman announces his retirement. Gorman, whose NHL career dates back to the league’s founding in 1917, retires with seven Stanley Cups to his credit as a coach and general manager, including two with the Canadiens.

Frank Selke, let go by Toronto, is hired to take over Montreal’s reins. Selke will go on to build the greatest dynasty in hockey history in the second half of the 1950s.

Despite the Canadiens’ on-ice success, the franchise continues to struggle financially. Selke rolls up his sleeves and sells the rights to several players to other teams around the league, while holding on to his core players and maintaining a competitive lineup.

Goalie Paul Bibeault is among the players on the way out of town when he sees his rights sold to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Selke’s decision to keep the team’s impact players bears fruit. Bill Durnan wins 34 games and posts four shutouts to claim his fourth straight Vezina Trophy, topping the previous record of three set by George Hainsworth.

After scoring 27 goals in 1945-46, Maurice Richard regains his magic touch and scores 45 in 60 games. His 71 points are good for second in the league, just one point behind Chicago’s Max Bentley, and the Rocket wins the Hart Trophy as the league’s MVP.

The Canadiens win the regular season title for a fourth year in a row with 78 points. While their offensive production drops off relative to previous seasons, they remain the league’s stingiest defense with just 138 goals allowed in 60 games. Bill Durnan’s excellent 2.30 goals-against average offers testimony to the team’s tenacious defensive play.

THE PLAYOFFS

The Canadiens face the Boston Bruins in the opening round of the playoffs. Montreal wins the first two games at the Forum, the first by a score of 3-1, and the second, 2-1 in overtime.

The Bruins show signs of life in the third game with a 4-2 victory, but it is the only ray of hope for Boston, which loses the following game 5-1, before dropping the fifth game in overtime, 4-3.

The Canadiens’ five-game series win is partly a result of an outstanding performance by Durnan. The All-Star goalie allows just 10 goals in five games.

Montreal advances to the final against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who defeated the Detroit Red Wings in the opening round.

The Habs are in fine form and get off to a great start in the series with a decisive 6-0 win at the Forum. The story is completely different two days later when the Maple Leafs draw even with a 4-0 victory.

With the series shifting to Toronto, the Maple Leafs enjoy a stranglehold on the final, posting two straight wins. The Canadiens stave off elimination in front of their fans with a 3-1 win in Game 5 at the Forum.

Toronto dashes Montreal’s hopes with a 2-1 win in Game 6 at Maple Leaf Gardens to capture the Stanley Cup.

Richard continues his regular season pace and records 11 points in the playoffs. Blake follows closely behind with nine.